If You Want To Possess Me (9 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 9
“Huh?”
Gilliam blinked in surprise at Seyard’s sudden declaration.
“You mean you’re seeking a marriage match…?”
“Just as I said.”
“Why the sudden decision?”
Seyard summarized his conversation with the princess and relayed it to his secretary. After hearing the whole story, Gilliam spoke cautiously.
“I see. But the princess has only just brought it up—wouldn’t it be rash to act so hastily?”
“Once it’s left the princess’s lips, it’s only a matter of time before the king himself speaks of it. The royal family has long wanted to exert influence over our house.”
Given that House Hiran possessed a history as illustrious as the royal family’s in the Sorbi Kingdom and held immense wealth, such ambition was only natural.
Though the five-year war with the neighboring kingdom of Jacques had ended long ago, the royal treasury still hadn’t repaid a significant portion of the debts incurred to fund that war.
Seyard clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“Father was always overly obsessed with appearances. Hiran remains Hiran, whether or not its mistress hails from royalty.”
“Well… at the time, the family needed royal approval for its new ventures, so it was necessary to stay on good terms with His Majesty.”
Gilliam offered a slight defense of his former master, then glanced warily at his current one.
“So, in short, you intend to pursue another marriage arrangement before His Grace the Duke even hears directly from the king.”
“I’m just taking the initiative. Right now, my elder brother’s situation is still fresh, so the king is keeping quiet out of courtesy—but it won’t be long before he summons me.”
“Do you dislike the idea of marrying the princess that much?”
“…Gilliam, I’m Seyard, not Visheak.”
The Duke of Hiran smiled faintly as he met his secretary’s uneasy gaze.
“So I bear no obligation to marry the princess.”
Seyard’s resolve appeared so firm that Gilliam dared not argue further. Ever loyal, he simply asked,
“Shall I begin searching for a suitable match as soon as we arrive?”
“Yes. Will it take long?”
“Honestly… I’m not sure there even exists someone worthy of you.”
In noble circles, a woman of Seyard’s age from a family equal in standing to House Hiran would almost certainly already have an arranged match.
Moreover, Seyard had spent his childhood secluded in a monastery and had scarcely mingled with noblewomen—where exactly was he supposed to find a bride now?
“Someone worthy of me…”
Leaning against the carriage wall, Seyard gazed out the window. They were passing near the Royal Library.
“Do you perhaps already have someone in mind?”
At Gilliam’s probing question, Seyard fell briefly into thought, then offered a rather bland reply.
“Not really. Just someone who came to mind.”
Inside the swaying carriage, Gilliam tilted his head in confusion.
[This is the timeline separator]“Hello, everyone.”
As the hostess of the parlor finally appeared, her guests rose from their seats at once.
“We are honored to see you, Your Highness.”
“How is Your Highness feeling?”
“It is truly an honor that you permitted our visit.”
Arta looked noticeably thinner than the last time they’d met, offering only a faint, weary smile.
“Now, now, everyone please sit. And I’m perfectly fine—thanks to your kind concern, I’m feeling much better.”
At her words, the ladies seated themselves, their faces softening with tender affection.
“How could even the princess…”
“It’s impossible to call yourself ‘fine’ when you’ve grown so thin.”
“Just think how heartbroken you must be.”
“We can hardly begin to imagine such pain.”
Arta waved her hands with a troubled expression.
“No, really, I’m alright. You don’t all need to fuss over me so much. Instead, could you tell me what’s been happening outside while I’ve been cloistered? I’ve read brief updates in letters, but it’s different hearing it firsthand.”
Though clearly forcing cheerfulness, her guests readily obliged, shifting the mood as she wished.
“Just the other day, the dog at home gave birth to puppies—so utterly adorable…”
“Yesterday, I attended the opera ‘The Lord’s Castle’ at the Royal Theater. The singers’ performance was quite impressive. Those interested should go when you have time…”
“My father brought back some tea leaves from his trip—I’d like to give some to Your Highness as well…”
Harmless conversation flowed over the tea table, and whenever the princess spoke, everyone fell silent to listen.
For Kisa, this was a scene she’d witnessed for years—the youngest princess and her circle of friends.
Long ago, the late queen had personally selected companions close in age to her youngest daughter. Being chosen among them was, as Count Bansfeldt never tired of reminding her, the highest honor—proof that the queen herself had judged their family’s lineage and character worthy.
Thanks to the queen’s discerning eye, the group had remained harmonious all this time. Though they all feared incurring the princess’s displeasure—and by extension, their fathers’ wrath—Kisa genuinely enjoyed these gatherings. After all, to serve royalty so closely was the pride of every noble.
But today, she barely listened, nodding absently while letting their words wash over her. She simply couldn’t focus.
Her unsettled feelings over the unresolved marriage matter with Daniel played a part, but the true source of her distraction sat right beside her—Melissa.
“How shocking—that something like that happened. You must have been stunned.”
Melissa, who had been listening to someone else, caught Kisa’s eye and gave a bright smile.
“What’s wrong? Do you have something to say?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You really are dull sometimes.”
Her easygoing demeanor—as if nothing had happened between them—made Kisa’s stomach churn. After all, they’d parted in anger just four days prior.
Despite having exchanged no words in the meantime, Melissa had greeted her with perfect composure when they met outside the palace, acting as though they were the closest of friends.
Of course, Kisa didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the grieving princess, who’d just lost her fiancé. Yet seeing Melissa behave exactly as before left her utterly bewildered.
“Kisa, are you not hungry? Why are you nibbling your lemon cake like that? You love it.”
That falsely caring face—so concerned, so sincere—made Kisa want to choke. Swallowing her irritation instead of the cake, she shook her head.
“I’m fine. Really, you don’t need to—”
Just as she was about to insist she was alright, someone interrupted their exchange.
“Oh dear, Kisa—could you be unwell?”
Princess Arta touched her own cheek in concern, prompting Kisa to wave her hands in flustered denial.
“No, Your Highness—it’s just a misunderstanding on Melissa’s part.”
“Are you sure? If something’s bothering you, you don’t have to hide it.”
“I truly am perfectly healthy.”
At least, far healthier than the princess herself, who’d been too heartbroken to step foot in society for weeks. Touched by Kisa’s reassurance, the gentle Arta sighed in relief.
“I’m glad. I was worried something might have happened to you.”
“To me?”
“Yes—you’re clearly going through a difficult time right now.”
“…What?”
A cold, needle-like wind pierced Kisa’s heart. Instinctively, she glanced at Melissa, who quickly averted her eyes with a sheepish look. Seeing this, the princess interjected as if to mediate.
“Please don’t blame Melissa. I asked her first—I sensed some sorrow in the letters you two exchanged.”
Letters? Now that she mentioned it, Arta had remained secluded but had faithfully replied, however briefly, to every condolence letter she received. Kisa herself had sent four or five.
So that was it. Melissa had used Kisa’s troubles as gossip to capture the princess’s interest.
“…I see.”
And yet, in this setting, that was the only reply she could give—because the princess was clearly protecting Melissa.
“Kisa, you’re an absolutely wonderful person. Daniel may be lost right now and not realize it, but in the end, he’ll surely return to you.”
The ladies around the table watched Kisa with eyes full of surprise and curiosity. The princess even stood and walked over, taking Kisa’s hands in hers.
“So please don’t despair. Wait patiently. And if things ever become too hard, confide in me anytime—I’ll be there to support you.”
“…”
“Hm? We’re friends, aren’t we?”
As if on cue, the young ladies chimed in one after another.
“Her Highness is right, Lady Bansfeldt.”
“If there’s anything we can do to help, just say the word.”
“Don’t take it too hard—men’s hearts cool easily, after all.”
“Daniel will surely come to appreciate your worth.”
Why? These were meant as comfort, yet each word weighed on her like a stone. In an instant, she’d been reduced to an object of pity.
Her parched lips trembled. You want to help me? Then command my father to cancel the engagement. Or better yet, hide me when I flee my house, Your Highness, Your Highness…
But none of those words could be spoken. She knew better than anyone that the princess would never do such things. To Arta, Kisa simply wasn’t worth that much.
“Thank you, Your Highness. And thank you all as well.”
Kisa replied with a dry voice, reciting the expected answer.
When the tea party ended, the young ladies reluctantly bade farewell to the princess and left the palace. After exchanging goodbyes with the others, Kisa seized Melissa’s arm and headed toward the Bansfeldt carriage.
“K-Kisa!”
Startled by the rough grip, Melissa cried out—but Kisa paid her no mind. She turned to the Dos family maid waiting to escort Melissa.
“Melissa will be returning with me, so you may go back alone.”
“What? Since when did I agree—”
Melissa stared wide-eyed like a frightened rabbit.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it? We’ve often ridden home together like this. Come on, get in. I’ll drop you off at your door.”
Uncharacteristically firm, Kisa’s tone left no room for argument. Melissa shot her a glare but climbed into the Bansfeldt carriage anyway. As Kisa prepared to follow, she gave an order to her maid.
“Marsha, I’m sorry, but could you sit up front with the coachman today? We have something private to discuss.”
“What? But—”
“I’d really appreciate it.”
“…Yes, miss.”
Perhaps sensing the flat tone held more than met the ear, Marsha climbed silently onto the driver’s seat with the coachman’s help.
“Are you playing games with me? What exactly are you trying to do?”
Inside the carriage, faced with Kisa’s hostile glare, Melissa shrank back uncomfortably.
“No, why are you so angry all of a sudden…?”
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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